H1N1 virus updates

Last update: December 14, 2009

• Community flu shot clinics
• MN FluLine: 1-866-259-4655

Minnesota FluLine (MN FluLine)

People with possible flu symptoms can now call the Minnesota FluLine (MN FluLine) at 1-866-259-4655 for information and treatment options. Professionals will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. People with limited English skills will be connected with an interpreter. There is no charge for the call.

H1N1 vaccine

H1N1 vaccine is now available for all people over 6 months of age. Vaccination clinic dates and times are posted on this website.

Because both H1N1 and regular seasonal flu may be making people sick this fall, it is more important than ever to get vaccinated against "seasonal" flu. Right now, the best defense is to take personal precautions.

Additional information

• Minnesota Department of Health
• Centers for Disease Control
• Flu call lines for the general public
• Resource links
• Questions and answers

Take precautions to prevent spreading H1N1

A few simple, common-sense precautions are still the most important things you can do to keep from getting the flu or spreading it to others. That applies to both seasonal flu and H1N1.

• Cover your nose and mouth with your sleeve or a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Clean your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer solution.
• Clean your hands after shaking hands or having other close contact with people and before eating or preparing food or touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Limit your contact with others who may be ill.
• In general, if your are ill with flu symptoms, stay home from work, school, or other places where people gather until 24 hours after your fever subsides.
• If you are an employer, encourage your employees to stay home if they are sick.
• If you develop flu symptoms, call your health care provider before making an office visit - you may not need to go in. If you must go to the office, it should be at a time when you will not risk exposing others in the waiting room to influenza.
• People at risk for severe flu or flu complications should contact their health care provider if they have flu symptoms or have been exposed to people with flu symptoms. Those individuals include people with an underlying medical condition, pregnant women, young children (especially under age two), and people 65 or older.

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Flu call lines for the general public

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Resource links

• All about influenza
• What to do if you get sick - 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu
• Resources for child care and early childhood programs
• Resources for K-12 schools
• Resources for colleges and universities

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Questions and answers

• What is H1N1 influenza?
• What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 influenza in people?
• How long can an infected person spread H1N1 influenza to others?
• What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
• What you should do if schools are dismissed or daycare centers are closed?
• What are community mitigation strategies?
• Can I get H1N1 influenza from eating or preparing pork?

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What is H1N1 Influenza?

H1N1 novel influenza is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. H1N1 is a certain kind of influenza that can cause infection in humans.

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What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 influenza in people?

The symptoms of H1N1 influenza include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Diarrhea and vomiting may also be present. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with similar infections in people. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 influenza may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

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How long can an infected person spread H1N1influenza to others?

People with H1N1 influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

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What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against H1N1influenza. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
  

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What you should do if schools are dismissed or daycare centers are closed?

If you have children, make plans for their care if officials close schools or daycare centers. Schools may be closed for as long as 14 days.

• Do not plan to bring children to your workplace.
• Plan learning activities and recreational activities that your children can do at home.
• Restrict your children's social contacts and being around with other children.

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What are community mitigation strategies?

Community mitigation refers to the possible actions that communities and Federal, State, and local governments will take to slow the spread of the H1N1 flu by limiting close contact between people. Some of the steps that may be taken to limit contact and the spread of the flu include:

• Dismissing students from schools and closing day-care centers
• Arranging alternate work options, such as working from home and staggered work schedules
• Canceling public gatherings
• Suggesting that people avoid crowded places such as concerts, sporting events, open markets, and shopping malls, and public transportation

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Can I get H1N1 influenza from eating or preparing pork?

No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

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For more information, contact:

Bloomington Public Health Division
1900 West Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington, MN 55431
PH: 952-563-8900 V/TTY
Office hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Interpreters and transportation information are available upon request.

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